Chris Wood shines in Albion reserves' victory

ALBION ended a three-match losing run in style with a deserved victory, led by emerging young striker Chris Wood and substitute Lateef Elford-Alliyu, who scored two timely goals to snuff out the Hammers’ second-half fightback.

ALBION ended a three-match losing run in style with a deserved victory, led by emerging young striker Chris Wood and substitute Lateef Elford-Alliyu, who scored two timely goals to snuff out the Hammers’ second-half fightback.

It was an entertaining Premiership Reserve League South game and Michael Appleton’s men totally dominated the first half with some fine football to go two goals ahead.

It was New Zealander Wood, having enjoyed his first-team debut just days earlier, who made an early impact.

The Baggies unsurprisingly doubled their lead in the 44th minute when, from a pass by Wood, Sawyers’ shot took a wicked deflection past Kurucz.

West Ham came out fighting in the second half and in the 49th minute Zavon Hines reduced the arrears.

Elford-Alliyu bagged Albion’s third in the 60th minute from a great pass by Wood, who fought off a challenge by Bondz N’Gala.

Kiely had to make an excellent stop from Daniel Kearns in the 68th minute but Albion regained control for Elford-Alliyu to score their fourth in the 81st minute after more good work from Wood. Wood was once more involved, getting the ball down under pressure for substitute Sam Mantom to make the final telling pass. The visitors kept fighting for left-back Matthew Fry to score soon afterwards from a Kearns free-kick, but there was no denying Albion’s superiority.